Woodruff County Jail Inmate Bail & Bonds
Woodruff County bail and bond: Augusta jail, court, and who to call
Woodruff County is small, and a handful of offices handle most of what a family needs. The sheriff runs the Woodruff County Jail in Augusta, and its phone, 870-347-2583, is the same one the sheriff's office uses. Court papers are at the courthouse, 500 North Third Street. The bondsteps below cover the process. To check custody, use Woodruff County Inmate Search.
Which address should I drive to?
The jail is in Augusta. Before you leave, phone 870-347-2583 and ask staff for the street address and which door handles bonds.
How do I tell if the person is inside?
Use the search link at the top. If the name is missing, call 870-347-2583, the sheriff's listed number. Augusta staff will want three things from you: the legal name, the birthday, and who arrested the person.
Who sets the bond, and who takes it?
A judge sets it, either on the arrest warrant or at the first court appearance. Deputies at the jail accept payment and release the person. For felonies, the circuit clerk's office keeps the record and answers questions at 870-347-2391. Because the staff is small, expect to wait for a shift supervisor.
Which payment will Augusta accept?
Bring cash or a money order, and ask about a cashier's check. Ask the jail whether it takes personal checks or cards before counting on either. Bring an ID, know the booking number, and insist on a signed receipt.
What if I get there after dark?
Whether a bond can be taken at 2 a.m. depends on the officer on duty and the judge's order. Call before the drive, so you do not travel country roads for nothing. A licensed bondsman can often post after hours.
When does a Woodruff County judge see the person?
Rule 8.1 of the Arkansas Rules of Criminal Procedure calls for an appearance without unnecessary delay. Woodruff is in the First Judicial Circuit, whose judges cover several eastern Arkansas counties, so a felony may wait for the next scheduled session. The judge weighs Rule 9.2 factors, such as local ties and prior attendance, and can add Rule 9.3 conditions.
How much does an Augusta bail bondsman cost?
Arkansas Code 17-19-301 fixes the fee at a tenth of the bond, rounded upward to a $5 step, with $50 as the lowest charge, all paid before release. A $2,500 bond costs $250. Nothing is refundable. Make sure the Augusta agent holds a current license from the state's Professional Bail Bondsman Licensing Board.
Is a signature bond possible?
Woodruff judges sometimes free a person on a low-level charge in exchange for a written vow to come back to court. It is the judge's choice, and violent or repeat cases rarely qualify. Ask the lawyer or the circuit clerk, 870-347-2391, whether it is allowed for this charge.
Can Delta land or a house be used?
Perhaps. Farmland and homes are common in the Delta, but the court still needs a deed, proof of value, and each owner's signature. Equity must exceed the bond, and a lien is recorded. Land in another state is usually refused. Call the county clerk, 870-347-2871, about recording and the circuit clerk about approval.
Who can Woodruff County refuse to release?
The Arkansas Constitution, article 2, section 8, says only a capital charge with evident guilt may go with no bail set. More often, something else keeps a person in: a parole or probation hold, another county's paper, or a federal detainer. Ask the deputy to name every hold before you pay.
Which Woodruff County court and clerk have the case?
District court, with departments in Augusta and McCrory, takes traffic and misdemeanor cases. The Augusta department answers 870-347-2790. The McCrory department answers 870-731-2041. Felonies and juvenile matters go to Woodruff County Circuit Court, and the circuit clerk's office at 500 North Third Street, 870-347-2391, can say which court has the case.
Do we qualify for the District 1 public defender?
If the person has little income, the judge can appoint one. Only the person in custody can request the appointment.
Augusta police made the arrest. What now?
Augusta's police can tell you the charges and the time of arrest. Some towns keep their own lockups, so confirm where the officers delivered your person. McCrory and other small towns run their own departments.
What if a Woodruff County minor is held?
A child is not kept with adults. If a child must be held, it is in a juvenile detention center, and the circuit judge decides release. The circuit clerk is also the juvenile court clerk, 870-347-2391, and can connect you with juvenile staff. These cases are confidential.
What if the jail is full?
Small jails run out of beds, especially on weekends, and prisoners may be moved. Call 870-347-2583 and ask where your person sleeps tonight. Any bond is still paid through Woodruff County.
What if a Woodruff County court date is missed?
Skipping an Augusta hearing invites a warrant, and Woodruff judges can then forfeit the bond. In district court, Arkansas Code 16-84-201 gives a surety roughly 120 days after notice to bring the defendant back. Cash is lost, and a bonding company collects from the defendant and co-signer. Reach the lawyer and the clerk right away, because early contact may let the court reset the date.
Who gets the Woodruff County money back?
Cash bond money goes back to the receipt holder once the Woodruff County case wraps up, less any fines and court costs. Keep the receipt. A bondsman's fee is never returned.
Is that Augusta bail call a scam?
It is, if they want gift cards or money sent by wire or app. Then reach the Woodruff sheriff yourself at 870-347-2583.
What are the main Woodruff County numbers after an arrest?
Everything runs through Augusta, plus a district court department in McCrory:
- Woodruff County Sheriff and Jail: 890 Gregory Street, Augusta, AR 72006 · 870-347-2583
- Circuit Court and Circuit Clerk: 500 North Third Street, Augusta, AR 72006 · 870-347-2391
- District Court, Augusta department: P.O. Box 381, Augusta, AR 72006 · 870-347-2790
- District Court, McCrory department: P.O. Box 897, McCrory, AR 72101 · 870-731-2041
The jail is at 890 Gregory Street, Augusta. Ring the sheriff's number if you need directions. Check the https://apps.apple.com/us/app/woodruff-county-sheriff-ar/id6754575975 listing to see if your person is booked. Our Woodruff County inmates page goes deeper on holds, release and transfers. After release or while you wait, our guide to sending money and our page on writing to an Augusta inmate may help.
How is a federal arrest from Woodruff County handled?
Federal bond comes from a federal judge, so Augusta cannot take it. Woodruff County is part of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas, Northern Division, at the federal courthouse in Jonesboro, 615 South Main Street, Jonesboro, AR 72401, 870-972-4610. Expect roughly this path:
- Agents file a complaint, or a grand jury returns an indictment.
- A magistrate judge sees the defendant at the first appearance.
- Pretrial services asks about job, home and any past convictions.
- The prosecutor tells the judge whether to seek detention.
- Anyone let out must follow written release terms.
Detained federal defendants are in U.S. Marshals custody: U.S. Marshals Service, 600 West Capitol Avenue, Little Rock, AR 72201, 501-324-6256.
Can ICE ask Augusta to hold my relative longer?
Yes, through a detainer under 8 CFR 287.7, which asks for up to 48 hours past normal release, and weekends and holidays count. Every Arkansas sheriff decides whether to comply, and the Woodruff County charge moves forward regardless.
The ICE New Orleans Field Office, 181 James Drive W, St. Rose, LA 70087, 504-318-2360 is responsible for Arkansas. Detainees from the eastern Delta are often moved to Louisiana sites such as:
- LaSalle ICE Processing Center: 830 Pinehill Road, Jena, LA 71342 · 318-992-1600
- Pine Prairie ICE Processing Center: 1133 Hampton Dupre Road, Pine Prairie, LA 70576 · 337-599-2400
For the ICE Online Detainee Locator System (https://locator.ice.gov/odls/), an A-number gives the best results; without one, a name and native country will do.
My relative is not showing on the Woodruff County listing. Where else can I check?
The person might have been released, may not be entered yet, or could be in another jail. Search these:
- Woodruff County Jail: Woodruff County Inmate Search. Lists charges and bond amounts. The building is at 890 Gregory Street.
- VINE: VINELink (https://vinelink.vineapps.com/). Arkansas covers every county, and alerts can be set up.
- Federal Bureau of Prisons: Federal Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator (https://www.bop.gov/inmateloc/). Only sentenced federal inmates reliably appear; for pretrial cases ask the Marshals at 501-324-6256.
- Arkansas Division of Correction: Arkansas Division of Correction Inmate Search (https://apps.ark.org/inmate_info/). State inmates by name or ADC number.
Which Augusta phone numbers confirm bond and court dates?
Call ahead before making the trip to Augusta. The sheriff's line, 870-347-2583, confirms custody and the bond amount. For misdemeanor dates, try the Augusta department at 870-347-2790 or McCrory at 870-731-2041. The circuit clerk, 870-347-2391, handles felony and juvenile dates.
Woodruff County bond contacts
- County jail: Woodruff County Jail, Augusta, AR 72006 (call for the street address); 870-347-2583; mail: P.O. Box 555, Augusta, AR 72006
- Bond guide: Posting bond in Augusta
- Sheriff: Augusta, AR 72006; 870-347-2583
- Circuit clerk: 500 North Third Street, Augusta, AR 72006; 870-347-2391
- District courts: Augusta, P.O. Box 381; 870-347-2790. McCrory, P.O. Box 897; 870-731-2041
- County clerk: 870-347-2871
- Juvenile: Circuit clerk, juvenile court, 870-347-2391
Woodruff County offices can change their rules, so phone before paying anything. This is general background and not legal advice.
Woodruff County Jail
Address:
890 Gregory Street
Augusta, AR 72006
Phone:
870-347-2583
Frequently Asked Questions about Bail and Bonds in Woodruff County
Does Woodruff County have bail?
What kind of bonds are accepted in Woodruff County?
Who can set bail in Woodruff County?
When is bail set in Woodruff County Arkansas?
Does Woodruff County have bail?
Yes, Arkansas is a bail state and Woodruff County allows bail.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Woodruff County?
Woodruff County recognizes most types of bonds. The court will consider what type of bonds will be accepted depending on the circumstances of the arrest. The judge in Arkansas considers one of the following bonds:
1. An unsecured bond in an amount set by the judicial officer.
2. An unsecured bond with 10% cash or securities valued at 10% of the bail amount. 90% of the 10% will be returned at the end of the proceedings as long as the conditions have been met.
3. Secured bond by cash or property from the defendant family or a qualified bond agent.
Who can set bail in Woodruff County?
A sheriff or police officer is authorized to set bail during the time of the arrest. If held in a city jail, a police officer can accept bail and a sheriff can accept bail in a county jail. In the higher courts, the judge sets bail at the initial appearance.
It is the law in Arkansas that the judicial officer can only set money bail if it is determined that no other conditions will guarantee that the defendant will appear in court.
Who can set bail in Woodruff County?
Bail can be sent by the arresting officer at the time of booking and if the offence was a misdemeanor the bail is immediately paid, the date for the initial appearance before a judge will be made.
What is Bail?
Bail is what the arrested in Woodruff County must pay or do to stay out of jail until the first court appearance.
The agreement to bail acts as a promise that the arrested will return to court for court dates and trial. Bail usually refers to a dollar amount, but bail can also mean something that has to be done, or a condition such as reporting to an officer of the court, a curfew, restraining orders or attending a treatment program.
Bail is usually a significant enough amount of money and/or condition that the person will be negatively impacted and has incentive to return to court and not flee. A flight risk usually means that the person would flee the area, and not necessary that they are going to take an airplane.
If a judge in Woodruff County feels that the arrested will return to court for further proceedings, the arrested could be released under a conditional release without needing to pay bail money. This is called Released on Own Recognizance, or ROR.
Conditions for ROR might be to obey all court orders and laws, maintain contact with the lawyer, report changes in residence or have no contact with the victim. Family support will show the court that there are people who will make sure that the defendant makes it to court.
If the judge or bail schedule determines that the defendant would be a danger to the public if they were released, bail can be denied, and the person will be detained in the Woodruff County Jail until the case is resolved or goes to trial.
Bail can be denied if the defendant did not comply with bail conditions from a previous arrest. Bail is usually denied in cases of violent offenses.
What is the difference between Bail and Bond?
Bail and bond are used interchangeably to mean the same thing but technically, they are different.
The bail is the amount to be paid and a bond is a signed document promising payment of the bail amount with certain conditions.
Think of a bond as a loan to pay for the bail.
The bond payment is always written to the court in your municipality, Woodruff County or district directly and does not go through the defendant. Chances of obtaining a bond from a bond company or clerk of court are better if family is involved.
The thought of being in jail can cause the arrested to panic and try to secure a bond immediately.
DO NOT panic and take the time to understand all the options.
More courts are now trying to work with defendants to make bail work and might provide non-monetary options or even reduce the bail.
Payments to a bond company are not refundable. It is a long process to get back property title or money that was given to the clerk of court or bondsperson to secure the bond. This could put your loved ones into a difficult financial situation.
Another reason not to unnecessarily rush into securing a bond is that if the court notes that you came up with the money to pay a bond company, they may assume you have resources to pay a defense attorney and decline public defense.
On the other hand, as anyone who has ever been involved in their criminal defense understands, fighting your case while ‘out on the streets’ gives you a much better chance of either winning, or getting a more favorable sentence.
What are the different types of bonds in Woodruff County?
Based on a review of information from the arrest, the judge or bail officer will determine and notify the accused of which types of bonds are available to them.
To describe the types of bonds, let’s use an example of buying your neighbor’s car. Your neighbor decides the price of the car and how they would be paid. Similarly, the court (meaning a police or bail officer, clerk of court, bail magistrate or judge) determines the bail amount and how it would be paid. Here are different options that the seller of the car or the court might consider:
You could pay full asking price for the car in cash. This is similar to paying cash bail. The full amount of bail would be paid to the town or county clerk or at the jail. Cash, cashier’s checks and credit cards are usually accepted.
You could sign an agreement on your own or with another person to pay for the car at a future date knowing that your neighbor would know where to find you if you stopped payment. This would be similar to a cash bond or a personal recognizance (PR) bond which are bonds to where someone representing the defendant signs paperwork promising to pay the bail amount if the defendant does not show up to court. There is no money due up front.
If the defendant does not show up, the full amount of the bail will be due to the court and the people who signed the paperwork will be responsible for paying the court and the court will send the sheriff’s department to arrest you.
Cash bonds and PR bonds are types of unsecured bonds because you are not securing it with any money down. In bond terms, a surety is a person who will be responsible for making sure that you will show to court and will be responsible to pay the bond if the arrested person does not show up.
Surety can be family, friend or a bondsperson. Your attorney cannot act as a surety.
You can put a deposit down for your neighbor’s car and sign an agreement that the car will be paid off at a later date. Cash percentage in lieu of bonds is when the defendant pays a percentage of the bail amount, usually 10%, to the court which then holds the money until the case is over.
The amount is returned to the person who paid the 10% after the case is over. In most cases, the full amount is not returned if there are court fees or fines due. This is a type of surety bond if another person signs the bond paperwork.
You could sign an agreement that if the car were not paid off, that your neighbor would get your house or something of value.
A property bond is a bond that the courts might consider in which the bond is pledged in land or home real estate (mobile homes are not accepted).
Usually, the property must be in the same state as the courts, and it must be worth at least 1 ½ - 2 times the amount of the bond.
There are multiple court fees involved to execute a property bond with the courts and a tedious process to get the property deed back. This is another type of surety bond if another person or a bond company is used to secure the bond.
You could also go to a local bank and take out a car loan offering property or anything of value for collateral. You may get someone to co-sign on the loan and offer their property. The bank charges fees, interest and could keep your property if you did not pay the loan back, or even on time.
A professional bondsperson makes money, at least 10% of the bond amount by providing you with a “loan” called a bond. The percent that they charge is fixed by the state and cannot be negotiated. The defendant or surety does not get that 10% or more back even if the terms of the bail are met.
With a property bond, the property deed would need to be signed over to the bondsperson and everyone on the deed would need to be involved.
Since the bondsperson signed off, to be responsible that you show to court as your surety, they can send a bounty hunter to bring you to court if you flee. A bondsperson does not have to give you a bond if the defendant seems to be too much of a risk.
Ask the bondsperson to explain all the costs: percentage, fees or court fees. There is never a reason to rush through signing the paperwork with a bond company. Make sure that everything told to you is in writing and that you understand what you are signing. Ask questions, and if you feel rushed or don’t understand the contract with the bond company, you might want to call another one.
(There have been phone scams where a bond company calls and informs a person that their family member has been arrested and they ask for financial information. A bondsperson will not call asking for money without involvement of the arrested.)
Does Woodruff County have bail?
Yes, Arkansas is a bail state and Woodruff County allows bail.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Woodruff County?
Woodruff County recognizes most types of bonds. The court will consider what type of bonds will be accepted depending on the circumstances of the arrest. The judge in Arkansas considers one of the following bonds:
1. An unsecured bond in an amount set by the judicial officer.
2. An unsecured bond with 10% cash or securities valued at 10% of the bail amount. 90% of the 10% will be returned at the end of the proceedings as long as the conditions have been met.
3. Secured bond by cash or property from the defendant family or a qualified bond agent.
Who can set bail in Woodruff County?
A sheriff or police officer is authorized to set bail during the time of the arrest. If held in a city jail, a police officer can accept bail and a sheriff can accept bail in a county jail. In the higher courts, the judge sets bail at the initial appearance.
It is the law in Arkansas that the judicial officer can only set money bail if it is determined that no other conditions will guarantee that the defendant will appear in court.
When is bail set in Arkansas?
Bail can be sent by the arresting officer at the time of booking and if the offence was a misdemeanor the bail is immediately paid, the date for the initial appearance before a judge will be made.
Can I get the bail or bond reduced in Woodruff County Arkansas?
Yes, your attorney can also request a bond reduction if a judge already set the initial bail.
In Woodruff County Arkansas, who can pay bail for me?
The person posting bail should be a relative or close friend, called a surety, because they are promising and taking responsibility that you will return to court to get their money back.
A surety is not responsible for court fees or paying off personal debts for the defendant. A professional bondsperson who is approved by the State of Arkansas could be the surety and execute a bond to the court on your behalf.
Can bail be paid online in Woodruff County Arkansas?
Almost all counties in Arkansas accept online payments or payment by phone with an associated fee. It is important that you pay the correct officer or Woodruff County Clerk of Court and not pay a scammer.
What options are there to pay bail in Woodruff County Arkansas?
Cash is accepted in some counties and not others and it is dependent on the amount. Most all jails and courts accept cash, a cashier or bankers’ check. Some accept a credit card with fees. Please contact the jail for specific information on what methods of payment are accepted.
Go to the Woodruff County Jail for more information about posting bail in Woodruff County.
Will I get all my bond money back in Arkansas?
Bail money is returned to the person who paid the bail; in whole or in part once the case is finished.
There may be fees, restitution (money to pay for damage caused by the crime) or fines that come out of that amount including an $80 minimal fee imposed by the court.
If you used a bondsperson, you would not get your 10% back. Property is returned by the court or bondsperson after the appropriate requests and formal paperwork are completed with the court.
Can I get bail or a bond with no money down in Woodruff County?
The judge or officer who sets bail determines which kind of bail will be an option for you, but a cash bond and PR bonds usually do not require cash down, though you might have to pay court fees.
A cash bond or a personal recognizance (PR) bond are bonds where someone representing the defendant signs paperwork promising to pay the bail amount if the defendant does not show up to court. There is no money due up front.
If the defendant does not show up, the full amount of the bail will be due to the court and the people who signed the paperwork will be responsible for paying the court and the court will send the sheriff’s department to arrest you.
Cash bonds and PR bonds are types of unsecured bonds because you are not securing it with any money down. In bond terms, a surety is a person who will be responsible to make sure that you will show to court and will be responsible to pay the bond if the arrested person does not show up. A surety can be family, friend or a bondsperson. Your attorney cannot act as a surety.
What are the least expensive and affordable bail bonds in Arkansas?
All professional bond companies must collect a 10% fee before the defendant is released from jail and there non-refundable are court fees in addition. The court can provide you with a list of approved and licensed bond companies in Woodruff County.
If you have an attorney, it is a good idea to ask which has the best reputation or you can read reviews by others who have used them. It would be advisable to find out exactly how much they would charge, including extra costs.
You can call several bond companies and negotiate the best rate and conditions for you, although not all bond companies are obligated to execute a bond for you.